Emblematic of Italy and appreciated for its ease of preparation, pizza is today one of the most consumed dishes in the world. But where does this popular dish come from?
Often associated with Italy, the pizza, whose origin dates back to Antiquity, would be born in Egypt and in ancient Greece. At that time, it was a kind of pancake made from flour, water and aromatic herbs, and which, over time, according to the local tastes and customs of the countries surrounding the Mediterranean basin, has been accompanied by various ingredients.
The first trade between the countries brought to Italy, and more specifically to Naples, previously little known food such as tomatoes. While many still believed this ingredient were toxic, adventurous Neapolitans were the first to add tomatoes as a garnish to their traditional flat bread, then baked in a wood oven.
Italy’s first modern pizza was born in 1780: a thin crust topped with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce and basil called the Margherita pizza. The story goes that it was created in honor of Queen Margherita of Savoy, who did not hide her love for this rustic dish, but so delicious. From that moment, this popular, simple and economical dish which was the staple diet of the Neapolitans, and which was traditionally eaten in the street, acquired its letters of nobility.
Since then, the pizza has continued to diversify. Year after year, many recipes, each one more surprising than the last, have been developed throughout the world and tailored to consumer tastes.
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